By Irv Jacobs, M.D. LA JOLLA, California — The readings for this Shabbat are taken from Amos, one of the earliest of the “classical prophets.” He, a cattle herder, arose from the Southern Kingdom of Judah, delivering his brief nine-only chapters of mainly artistic poetry between 784-733 BCE, to both Kingdoms. He criticized cultic sins […]
Haftorah for May 7, 2022 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
The “christening” ceremony featured a principal ceremonial address by Milk’s nephew, Stuart Milk, as well as remarks by Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro; Vice Admiral Jeffrey Hughes, deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development; and Rear Adm. Michael Wettlaufer, commander of the Military Sealift Command. Sponsors of the ship were U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who had served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors with Milk, and Paula Neira, clinical program director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health. Neira shattered a bottle of sparkling wine across the ship’s bow in a time-honored Navy tradition. [Donald H. Harrison]
Assassinated Gay Jewish Political Leader Harvey Milk Is Honored by the U.S. Navy Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
By Dorian de Wind The Moderate Voice AUSTIN, Texas — Reminiscing about a 2015 visit to the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, in Margraten, I wrote, “Walking among the more than 8,000 white marble crosses and Star of David headstones laid out in long, silent curves across the pristine verdant lawn, we could not be
Jewish World War II Heroes Finally Rest Under the Star of David Read More »
Dorian de Wind, International, Jewish History, USA
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Dr. Emily Michelson, senior lecturer in history at the University of St. Andrews, describes the over two and a half centuries when the Roman Catholic Church in Rome, Italy, forced Rome’s Jews to attend weekly hostile sermons. The Church’s aim was to convert the Jews to
Centuries of Despicable Behavior Against Jews Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History
By Jerry Klinger The words together will offend someone, perhaps more than just one someone. The Holocaust was a horror that converted millions of Jews into mincemeat. Operation Mincemeat was an impossibly successful British military operation that saved at least a million Jews from being exterminated. April 24, in Hackney, London, a black polished historical
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Holocaust, International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History
Rhea Joyce Shifrin Goot passed away Sept. 12, 2021, in Laguna Woods, California. She was 85. Born in Chicago on Oct. 26, 1936, Rhea attended South Shore High School and the University of Illinois at Navy Pier. She raised her children in Chicago, Phoenix, and San Diego. She completed her undergraduate degree at Arizona State University,
In Memoriam: Rhea Joyce Shifrin Goot, 85 Read More »
Obituaries & memorials, San Diego CountyHaftorah reading for Aharei Mot is I Samuel 20:18-42. By Irv Jacobs, M.D. LA JOLLA, California — The readings for this Shabbat are taken from I Samuel, of the “Early Prophets,” [1] though one can find another reading, from Amos, when in another year Aharei Mot’s haftorah is combined with that of Kedoshim. [2] The
Haftorah for April 30, 2022 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — About a month ago, we read in parasha Shemini about the deaths of Nadav and Avihu. This Shabbos, in Parasha Acharei Mos, once again, the Torah takes the time to mention their deaths. In this week’s parasha, Aaron and his family are forbidden to mourn their loss,
Parashat Acharei Mos: The Value of Tears Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Lazard, a social worker employed by the County of San Diego to determine financial and residential eligibility for cradle-to-21-year-old residents with major disabilities, says he is happiest when he gets to sing, particularly Jewish prayer songs. Through his tutoring of Ruth Sax, he got to know other Jewish residents of Paradise Village, and before long he was asked to officiate at the monthly Shabbat service. He met with Paradise Village’s Chaplain, Harry Bennett, before accepting the volunteer gig. Services are held in the non-denominational chapel, which has a stained-glass window bearing a picture of a dove. [Donald H. Harrison]
Social Worker Serves as a Lay Rabbi for Elderly Residents of Paradise Village Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
This tale for tots conflates the light of Shabbat candles with other pleasant and helpful lights that they might encounter. These include a flashlight helping people to find their way; lanterns at an evening picnic; a lighthouse that aids sailors; the moon and stars; fireflies; and a soft nightlight in a child’s room. [Donald H. Harrison]
Book for Toddlers Tells of the Lights of Shabbat Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
By Sam Glaser LOS ANGELES — I love the connection of numbers and Torah. In macro terms, Torah is the blueprint of the universe. What is the secret of six? According to the famous Passover song, Who Knows One?, one is God, two are the tablets, three are the forefathers, four are the matriarchs, five
From PJ Library comes two Passover-related books suitable for reading to children. Meet the Matzah is the kind of silly story that children will giggle over. In this case, different kinds of breads and matzah have been anthropomorphized as students in a classroom where they learn about all kinds of holidays and the breads that are served. For example, one might eat naan during the Hindu festival of Diwali and tortillas on the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos. [Donald H. Harrison]
PJ Library Serves Up Stories About Passover and Mimouna Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Middle EastHaftorah reading for the first day of Pesach is Joshua 3:5-7, 5:2-6:1, 6:27. By Irv Jacobs, M.D. LA JOLLA, California — The readings for this Shabbat, the first day of Passover, are from the Book of Joshua. The text is entirely in prose. I use the translation of Robert Alter of the University of California
Haftorah for April 16, 2022 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
By Sandra Scheller CHULA VISTA, California — Holocaust survivor Harry Rosen passed on April 7, 2022. Born on August 9, 1923, he is now next to his wife, Zipporah Rosen, in Israel. He is survived by his son, Amnon who lives in Israel. This video shows his final days and now burial in Israel: For
‘Always Sunshine in the Sky:’ Remembering Holocaust Survivor Harry Rosen Read More »
Holocaust, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller